Dave: Last season was a tough one for the team. Do you feel the Crunch have something to prove this season?
Joe: Yes, of course anytime you miss the playoffs it leaves a sour taste in your mouth and you want to come back the next year and work very hard.
Dave: How did you prepare for this season? What was your off season training regimen?
Joe:
This summer
I really tried to improve my strength in both my legs and upper body.
By doing this of course I spent a lot of time in the gym lifting weights.
Dave: What are the details of
your new contract?
Joe: A two year deal
Dave: The Columbus organization has finally achieved some depth
in the forward position. Do you feel this will hurt your
chances of a call up this season?
Joe:
Anytime they go out and sign players for the big club its frustrating for
a guy like me but I just have to stay positive, work hard and my
opportunity will come.
Dave: If you do not see a lot of NHL action, will you consider the
season a failure for you personally?
Joe:
Yes. I feel I have brought my game to an NHL caliber and it would be a
disappointment if I didn't get a look
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy playing against? Why?
Joe: Rochester, because of the rivalry and the excitement that the fans bring into the building each time we play them.
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy least against? Why?
Joe:
Cleveland. To
go to such a nice building and only play in front of a couple hundreds
fans is frustrating.
Dave: A lot of your teammates from last year have gone to or stayed in
Europe this season. Have you been in touch with any of them and if so,
how are they doing?
Joe: I haven't had a chance to talk to many of them but from what I hear everyone is doing well.
Dave: There are so many new faces this season, is there anyone that has not returned that you feel would be a perfect fit for this year’s team?
Joe: Brad Moran because I enjoyed playing with so much.
Dave: How did you get the coveted spot on the Crunch schedule poster this year? (laugh)
Joe: I buttered up
Jim and Christine in the office with fresh baked cookies every week.
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Yates - rebound specialist
b) Geoff Platt - sniper
c) Alexandre Picard - hard worker
d) Steven Goertzen - pk specialist
e) Jamie Pushor - dependable
f) Peter Sarno- great vision
g) Ben Simon - complete goofball off the ice
Dave: Last year there seemed to be a real problem with sticks breaking. Not as much this year. What has changed?
Joe: I am not really sure. You might want to ask the manufacturers.
Dave: Do the rule changes help or hurt your game? Do they give forwards an unfair advantage?
Joe: The rule changes definitely help me. they give room to skate and shoot a lot more with a stick being all over you.
Dave: Which rule change do you think
will have the most positive effect on the game?
Joe: I think all the rule changes
have opened up the game and made it better for both players and fans.
Dave: It is not unusual to see St Cloud Huskies jerseys in the stands on game night. Are you pleased that the fan support for the players extends as far as the purchase of their college jerseys?
Joe: Ya, its great!
Dave: You seem to be one of the more popular players with the fans and
you are always so cordial and giving of your time. Does it get to be
a bit too much sometimes?
Joe: I think the fans realize the
good and bad times on when to approach players after the games which
makes it a lot easier for the players.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Joe Motzko for taking
the time to do this interview.